How about sharing your love for fishing or photography or cooking as a mentor?
Mentoring relationships can develop around a specific hobby, sport, interest, talent, or career that is of mutual interest to you and a young person. We have many kids on a waiting list for a mentor at Morristown Elementary. Read on to find out how you might be able to help…What is mentoring?
Mentoring means offering friendship, encouragement and guidance to a young person. A mentor is an adult who provides a young person with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement, and a constructive example. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who want to help young people bring out strengths they already have. Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals whose aim is to develop the competence and character of the mentee.
What is involved?
Mentoring just requires one hour per week during the school year. Most mentors meet with their mentee during the school hours. Before getting started, you need to fill out an application, attend a brief training session, and have fingerprints taken and a background check.
Did you know?
- Kids who have an adult mentor are 58% less likely to skip school, and 46% less likely to use drugs.
- 60% of youths who had a mentor reported feeling more self confident; 70% reported being more hopeful about the future; 70% felt trust for their mentors; and 68% reported doing better in school.
- Research shows that mentoring influences young people in three important ways:
• By enhancing social skills and emotional well-being
• By improving cognitive skills through dialogue and listening
• By serving as a role model and advocate
Who do I contact?
Sara Pennock, our Guidance Counselor at MES, is the coordinator of the mentoring program. You can call the school office at 888-3101 and leave a message for her, or send an e-mail to Sara.Pennock@morrisville.org. She would be happy to meet with you to give more information about the program.